National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy

Annual Report

2009-2010

NATIONAL ROUND TABLE

344 Slater Street, Suite 200 Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 7Y3 Canada

ON THE ENVIRONMENT
T 613-992-7189 / F 613-992-7385 / E-mail: admin@nrtee-trnee.ca

AND THE ECONOMY

WWW.NRTEE-TRNEE.CA

National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, 2010

NATIONAL ROUND TABLE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR AND PRESIDENT AND CEO

July 2010 Dear Minister: We are pleased to submit to you the 2009-2010 Annual Report of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE). The year was an exceptionally busy one for the Round Table, beginning with the April, 2009, release of Achieving 2050: A Carbon Pricing Policy for Canada. This was followed by four separate policy publications, including last Julys annual review and assessment of the governments Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act Action Plan. The NRTEE also conducted research during the scal year that culminated in the publication of two other reports in the spring of 2010. The Round Table marked the fall by releasing True North: Adapting Infrastructure to Climate Change in Northern Canada. The report offered practical advice on how Northern Canada can adapt its infrastructure to the potential effects of a changing climate. Later, the Round Table wound up its Achieving 2050 carbon pricing policy report with an electronic report highlighting key outcomes from a series of outreach sessions with stakeholders that took place in the late spring and summer of 2009. In early 2010, the NRTEE produced, in conjunction with the Public Policy Forum, a report examining the need for new collaborative governance approaches to achieve the goals of sustainable development. Entitled Progress Through Process: Achieving Sustainable Development Together, this joint report was the culmination of meetings and consultations with 20 experts in the eld of sustainability and governance. Throughout the year, the Round Table also continued with its work on two major policy research programs: Climate Prosperity: The Economic Risks and Opportunities of Climate Change for Canada and Water Sustainability and Canadas Natural Resource Sectors. The Climate Prosperity series was unveiled to the public in April, 2010, with a brochure outlining the scope of the program. The rst report in the series, Measuring Up: Benchmarking Canadas Competitiveness in a Low-Carbon World, was released in May, 2010. In June, the NRTEE released the rst of two reports as part of its water program, entitled Changing Currents: Water Sustainability and the Future of Canadas Natural Resource Sectors. Aside from our published work, NRTEE members participated in a number of conferences and hosted several joint meetings with stakeholders. The Round Table also took a leading role in discussions on a clean-energy strategy for Canada, which included nine other public policy organizations. Last year marked the beginning of the Round Tables third decade of providing the Government of Canada and Parliament with policy advice on achieving sustainable development. We look forward to continuing to do so. Yours sincerely,

Robert P R b t Page, Ph.D. Ph D Chair

David McLaughlin President and Chief Executive Ofcer

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NRTEE MEMBERS (April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010)

NRTEE Chair Bob Page Calgary, Alberta Janet Benjamin North Vancouver, British Columbia (to December 8, 2009) The Honourable Pauline Browes, P.C. Toronto, Ontario Elizabeth Brubaker Toronto, Ontario Angus Bruneau St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador David Chernushenko Ottawa, Ontario (to November 9, 2009) Diane Cunningham London, Ontario (from May 14, 2009) Anthony Dale Toronto, Ontario Francine Dorion St-Bruno-de-Montarville, Qubec Robert Dub Montral, Qubec (to October 12, 2009) John Hachey Lachine, Qubec (from May 14, 2009) Timothy Haig Oakville, Ontario Christopher Hilkene Toronto, Ontario Franklin Holtforster Ottawa, Ontario (from November 9, 2009) Mark Jaccard Vancouver, British Columbia (to November 9, 2009) Leah Lawrence Calgary, Alberta (from May 14 to November 13, 2009) Donald MacKinnon Toronto, Ontario Ken McKinnon Whitehorse, Yukon Robert Mills Red Deer, Alberta (from October 1, 2009) Richard Prokopanko Vancouver, British Columbia Wishart Robson Calgary, Alberta Robert Slater Ottawa, Ontario Robert Sopuck Sandy Lake, Manitoba (to July 28, 2009)

NRTEE President and CEO David McLaughlin

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NRTEE SECRETARIAT (as of March 31, 2010)

President and CEO David McLaughlin Executive Assistant to the President and CEO Julie St-Amour Director, Policy and Research Ren Drolet Senior Policy Advisors Jill Baker Alex Long Policy Advisors Dale Beugin Jimena Eyzaguirre Suzanne Loney Research Associates Katherine Balpataky Isabella Kavaan Director, Communications & Public Affairs Brian Laghi Communications Advisor Tony Bgin Website Communications Ofcer Edwin Smith Communications Coordinator Tania Tremblay Communications Administrative Assistant Richard Pilon Corporate Secretary and Manager, Member Services Sara Melamed Director, Corporate Services Jim McLachlan Records and Information Management Specialist Fosca Omara IT Security, Systems and Network Analyst Kevin Trudeau Manager, Finance and Contracts Duane Wilson Finance Ofcer Claude Simard Finance Assistants Linda Charbonneau Bonnie Klein Procurement and Contracting Administrator Denise Johnston Manager of Human Resources and Administrative Services Hlne Sutton Human Resources and Ofce Management Assistant Kim Laforge Administrative Assistants Denise Edwards Nadra Meigag

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THE NATIONAL ROUND TABLE: ABOUT US

Emerging from the famous Brundtland Report, Our Common Future, the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) has become a model for convening diverse and competing interests around one table to create consensus ideas and viable suggestions for sustainable development. The NRTEE focuses on sustaining Canadas prosperity without borrowing resources from future generations or compromising their ability to live securely. The NRTEE is in the unique position of being an independent policy advisory agency that advises the federal government on sustainable development solutions. We raise awareness among Canadians and their governments about the challenges of sustainable development. We advocate for positive change. We strive to promote credible and impartial policy solutions that are in the best interest of all Canadians based on research, stakeholder engagement, and consideration by Round Table members. We accomplish that mission by fostering sound, well-researched reports on priority issues and by offering advice to governments on how best to reconcile and integrate the often divergent challenges of economic prosperity and environmental conservation. The NRTEE brings together a group of distinguished sustainability leaders active in businesses, universities, environmentalism, labour, public policy, and community life from across Canada. Our members are appointed by the federal government for a mandate of up to three years. They meet in a round table format that offers a safe haven for discussion and encourages the unfettered exchange of ideas leading to consensus. This is how we reconcile positions that have traditionally been at odds. We also reach out to expert organizations, industries, and individuals to assist us in conducting our work on behalf of Canadians. These partners help spark our creativity, challenge our thinking, and generate the momentum needed for success. The NRTEE Act underlines the independent nature of the Round Table and its work. The NRTEE reports, at this time, to the Government of Canada and Parliament through the Minister of the Environment. The NRTEE maintains a secretariat, which commissions and analyzes the research required by its members in their work. The secretariat furnishes research, administrative, promotional, and communications support for NRTEE activities and operations.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 / THE YEAR IN REVIEW ......................................................................................... 09 2.0 / A LOOK AHEAD ................................................................................................. 21 3.0 / MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ..................................... 25 4.0 / AUDITORS REPORT ............................................................................................ 27 5.0 / STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION ..................................................................... 29 6.0 / STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS ................................................................................. 31 7.0 / STATEMENT OF EQUITY OF CANADA ....................................................................... 33 8.0 / STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW .................................................................................. 35 9.0 / NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS .................................................................. 37

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THE YEAR IN REVIEW

POLICY AND RESEARCH PROGRAMS
The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy strives to ensure its policy and research activities are directly relevant to Canadas national interest. The Round Table offers an opportunity for our stakeholders to gather and share in the development of effective insights and understanding. Through its research and analysis the Round Table is a catalyst for innovative and effective public policy in sustainability. The NRTEE offers independent advice to governments on how best to address the challenges and seize the opportunities associated with creating a sustainable, 21st century economy for Canadians. Over the 2009-2010 scal year, the NRTEE has focused its attention on a number of critical issues and research areas: Carbon pricing policy; The economic risks and opportunities of climate change; Adaptation of northern infrastructure to climate change; Water sustainability and Canadas natural resource sectors; Sustainable development governance; and, Review of the Government of Canadas implementation of the Kyoto Protocol.

We released several reports and one brochure related to our work in 20092010. We also held 25 consultation meetings across the country on various issues. These consultation sessions were held in order to ensure stakeholder engagement in various phases of our initiatives (program scoping, sharing of information, review of results and discussion of recommendations).

ACHIEVING 2050: A CARBON PRICING POLICY FOR CANADA

Published in April 2009, this report recommended a carbon pricing policy for Canada, designed to meet the governments 2020 and 2050 GHG emissions reductions targets. The report explores how best to establish a unied carbon pricing policy for Canada in the form of an economy-wide cap-and-trade system that would meet Canadas environmental goals at least economic cost. The report consisted of an advisory report and a technical backgrounder. The NRTEEs research included wide consultation with stakeholders, on-going input from an Expert Advisory Committee, a review of global experiences, and the creation of new economic modelling and analysis. Following the release of the report, the NRTEE held a series of outreach

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sessions in six Canadian cities Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax during the spring and summer of 2009, to gauge regional views and gain insights on the potential impact of the proposed carbon pricing policy. A summary report, released in December 2009, highlights the key outcomes from the sessions, including areas of agreement and divergence as well as specic issues participants felt the federal government needed to be aware of when moving toward a unied national cap-and-trade system. Participants across Canada strongly supported the recommendations of Achieving 2050, in particular: An economy-wide carbon pricing policy with the greatest breadth of coverage possible; Achieving 2050s cap-and-trade implementation road map, which was seen as a logical, sequenced approach to implementing an adaptive policy that minimizes risks; Taking action now, rather than delaying; A move from the current fragmentation of carbon prices and policies across Canada to a unied, national approach; The reports recommendation to send a carbon price signal that is certain and credible now, while being able to adapt to changing circumstances over time; A cap-and-trade system that can eventually link with a U.S. system; The use of auction revenue rst and foremost for technology deployment and innovation; and The reports recommendations concerning new governance institutions. As well, participants from all sessions wanted the federal government to be aware of some issues of concern: Implementing a cap-and-trade system could put Canadian rms at a competitive disadvantage with U.S. rms, from proposed U.S. protectionist measures in draft climate legislation, carbon leakage, and greater auction of permits in Canada than in the U.S. The energy system could lack the necessary capacity to meet the demands of electrication as a result of carbon pricing. Copies of the Achieving 2050 advisory report, technical backgrounder, and outreach report, can be found at: http://www.nrtee-trnee.ca/eng/publications/carbon-pricing/carbon-pricing-eng.php

Achieving 2050: A Carbon Pricing Policy for Canada - Outreach Report was released in December 2009.

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CLIMATE PROSPERITY THE ECONOMIC RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF CLIMATE CHANGE FOR CANADA
Building on its previous work on climate change, the NRTEE launched its Climate Prosperity program in 2009-2010, focusing on the economic risks and opportunities for Canada related to climate change. A brochure providing details of the program was produced and distributed to a large number of stakeholders. Climate Prosperity will develop strategic policy recommendations for governments to secure Canadas economic future in a changing climate over the course of seven distinct reports. It will offer new insights and ideas on how Canada can not only cope with climate change, but prosper through it. In 2009-2010, efforts were focused on program scoping, initial research, and stakeholder consultation, resulting in an integrated, comprehensive program approach based on two main policy research streams. The rst stream deals with the physical impacts of climate change. Climate change will bring risks to the economy, for example, from a rise in sea levels and from extreme events such as storms and oods. There will also be some economic benets for Canada from climate change, at least in the short-term, such as reduced heating bills as winters become less cold. Currently, there is insufcient knowledge about what the physical impacts of a changing climate will mean for Canadas economy and regions, and the costs of adaptation. The second research stream addresses the risks and opportunities that are created by a global transition to a low-carbon economy. As the world enacts policies to reduce emissions, new industries and technologies will emerge. This stream of work will explore how Canada can seize these opportunities and enhance its competitiveness. Work has been undertaken on both streams. The NRTEE has launched an ambitious research agenda involving original economic modelling and analysis, as well as extensive consultations with key environmental, industry and expert stakeholders. Signicant progress has been made in understanding the impacts of climate change for Canada under various scenarios of warming, the economic implications of climate change on four specic sectors (coastal zones, human health, public infrastructure and forests), the implications of uncertain U.S. climate policy for Canadian climate policy choices, and Canadas standing in low-carbon competitiveness compared to other G8 countries. Knowing where we stand is a key component in determining where we must focus if Canada is to compete and win in this new reality. This is the purpose of the rst report entitled Measuring Up: Benchmarking Canadas Competitiveness in a Low-Carbon World, released in May 2010. It assesses Canadas competitiveness against other G8 nations in areas such as
Climate Prosperity: The Economic Risks and Opportunities of Climate Change for Canada was released in April 2010.

Measuring Up: Benchmarking Canadas Competitiveness in a Low-Carbon World was released in May 2010.

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emissions and energy, skills, investment, innovation and governance. Copies of the report and the brochure, as well as more information on the Climate Prosperity program can be found at: http://www.nrtee-trnee.ca/ eng/issues/programs/climate-prosperity/climate-prosperity-eng.php

TRUE NORTH: ADAPTING INFRASTRUCTURE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN NORTHERN CANADA

Canadas North is on the frontline of climate change. The speed and magnitude of change and the uneven and limited response capacity to address climate risk pose unique threats to this region. This is clearly apparent with infrastructure. Future challenges include engineering in cold climates and remote locations, a lack of back-ups in infrastructure systems and limited nancial and human resources to assess risks and apply and enforce standards. Moreover, melting permafrost is undermining building foundations and threatens roads, pipelines, and communications infrastructure, while storm surges, wildres, oods, blizzards and changing wind and snowstorm patterns all pose risks to remote and vulnerable communities. Canadas North is likely to experience unprecedented pressure on infrastructure, given the effects of climate change as well as changing demographics and increased economic development. The programs purpose was to demonstrate how improvements in the use of existing risk-based mechanisms codes and standards, insurance, and disaster management can reduce the vulnerability of northern infrastructure, while also addressing climate risks into the future. Released in November 2009, True North was a product of over two years of intensive research and consultations with almost 100 stakeholders from the North and across Canada. The report set out 16 recommendations to make community, energy, and transportation infrastructure more resilient and able to cope with expected climate change. The NRTEEs recommendations focus on four areas: 1. Integrating climate risks into existing government policies, processes, and mechanisms. 2. Ensuring northern interests are represented and implicated in the development of climate change solutions. 3. Strengthening the science capacity and information use in the North to support long-term adaptation efforts. 4. Building community capacity to address climate risks to northern infrastructure and take advantage of opportunities. Copies of the report and information on the research process can be found at: http://www.nrtee-trnee.ca/eng/publications/true-north/true-north-eng.php

True North: Adapting Infrastructure to Climate Change in Northern Canada was released in November 2009.

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CHANGING CURRENTS: WATER SUSTAINABILITY AND THE FUTURE OF CANADAS NATURAL RESOURCE SECTORS
The NRTEE program on Water Sustainability and Canadas Natural Resource Sectors is designed to examine the relationship between the energy, mining, forestry and agriculture sectors and water sustainability. The program raises the prole of water management within Canada, particularly with respect to the natural resource sectors. Its goal is to provide recommendations to governments, industry and water management authorities on policies, approaches and mechanisms through which water can be better managed to foster both ecosystem health and the natural resource sectors economic sustainability. In 2009-2010, the NRTEE completed the programs rst phase, which focused on dening the most important water uses to the sectors and key issues relative to them. The programs sub-committee, comprised of members of the NRTEE, played a strategic guidance role for the program and was deeply involved throughout Phase I. This group is complemented by an Expert Advisory Committee (EAC), made up of leading Canadian water experts. The NRTEEs research was also supplemented by a number of roundtable meetings held in conjunction with industry associations. These meetings helped to verify the in-house ndings of the NRTEE and enhanced the understanding of the key issues from the perspective of the industry stakeholders. This work resulted in the publication of Changing Currents: Water Sustainability and the Future of Canadas Natural Resource Sectors, released in June 2010, in conjunction with the inaugural Canadian Water Summit in Mississauga, Ontario. Information on Water Sustainability and Canadas Natural Resource Sectors can be found at: http://www.nrtee-trnee.com/eng/issues/programs/water/ water.php

Changing Currents: Water Sustainability and the Future of Canadas Natural Resource Sectors was released in June 2010.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOVERNANCE

More than 20 years ago, Canadians embraced the emerging concept of sustainable development in response to the landmark Brundtland Report. Meeting the needs of present generations without compromising those of generations to come is at the heart of bringing environmental and economic interests together to create truly sustainable development solutions. But this has been easier said than done. Adversarial positions and entrenched interests have replaced dialogue and debate aimed at forging common solutions in recognition of a common future. Governments are often caught in the middle, forced to arbitrate between competing interests and positions in an attempt to navigate a way forward when they need to innovate with more open ways of bringing people together. Today, complex, long-term issues such as climate change, water management, clean energy and more require new collaborative engagement

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processes if we are to truly make progress. Thats why the NRTEE and the Public Policy Forum collaborated in 2009-2010 to examine how we could reinvigorate our governance processes to make real progress on sustainable development. Over the course of two round table discussions and one-on-one interviews with 20 of Canadas leading experts and practitioners in the eld of sustainable development and governance, the NRTEE developed the content towards production of a report entitled Progress Through Process: Achieving Sustainable Development Together. The report set out eight key Elements of Successful Collaborative Governance for Sustainable Development: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Focus on Clear Outcomes Find the Right Convenor Bring the Right People Together Ensure Real Commitment Create Clear Rules and Scope Foster Shared Ownership and Accountability Build Legitimacy Establish Ongoing Dialogue

Progress Through Process: Achieving Sustainable Development Together was released in February 2010.

Copies of the report can be found at: http://www.nrtee-trnee.ca/eng/publications/progress-through-process/sustainability-project-report-eng.php

KYOTO PROTOCOL IMPLEMENTATION ACT

The Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act (KPIA) was passed by Parliament in June 2007 and calls on Canada to meet its international commitment under the Kyoto Protocol by reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 6 per cent below 1990 levels by 2012. Every year, the government must prepare a Climate Change Plan describing the measures and policies it enacted to ensure that Canada meets its obligations under the Protocol. This plan must also detail the expected emission reductions resulting from the governments measures and policies. Subsection 10(1) of C-288 requires the NRTEE to: a) Undertake research and gather information and analyses on the Plan or statement in the context of sustainable development; and b) Advise the Minister on issues that are within its purpose, including the following: i) The likelihood that each of the proposed measures or regulations will achieve the emission reductions projected in the Plan or statement; ii) The likelihood that the proposed measures or regulations will enable Canada to meet its obligations under Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Kyoto Protocol, and iii) Any other matters that the Round Table considers relevant.

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The NRTEE undertook the required analysis to comply with our obligations under KPIA and our ndings were provided in a report to the Minister of the Environment in July 2009. The NRTEE offered the following conclusions in its report: Emissions reductions attributed in the Plan to specic policies and programs are likely overestimated due to methodological issues. This is most apparent for the accounting of emissions reductions for the Technology Fund and the Climate Change Trust Fund, as well as the persistence of free-ridership, rebound, and additionality issues in some of the individual measures. There are deciencies in relying exclusively on the KPIA annual assessment approach with its short-term focus and unclear denition of emissions reductions as the formal accountability mechanism and process for forecasting and tracking emission reductions in Canada. Transparent forecasting and evaluation processes are important for ensuring Canada is on a path to achieving long-term reductions. Comparing forecasts of the impacts of policies to the emissions reductions that eventually result from these policies can allow for improving of both forecasting methods and policy over time. A transparent longer-term (post 2012) process of forecasting and accounting for GHG emissions reductions could address these issues. The 2009 NRTEE KPIA Response also recommended: That for future KPIA Plans, the government forecast estimates of future reductions in terms of projected changes in Environment Canadas GHG Emissions Inventory; That future KPIA Plans reect both emissions forecasts and actual emissions data from the inventory, and further, that consideration be given to developing and implementing an ongoing public presentation of this information beyond the KPIA period; That future KPIA Plans apply consistent methodologies between the integrated modelling and forecasts for specic policies and programs and provide a more detailed and transparent explanation of differences between two sets of forecasts. That the uncertainty analysis provided in the 2009 Plan be deepened by providing additional information on the assumptions behind the various forecasts. Copies of the report can be found at: http://www.nrtee-trnee.ca/eng/publications/KPIA-2009/Index-KPIA-NRTEE-Response-2009-eng.php

The Response of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy to its Obligations under the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act was released in July 2009.

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NRTEE CONVENING ROLE

In order to deliver sound recommendations and policy advice to governments, the NRTEE relies on two main strengths: The high quality of its research and its strong and unique convening power. The NRTEEs credibility makes it a natural and effective convener for matters related to sustainable development. In 2009-2010, the NRTEE used its convening ability on a regular basis, generating lively and productive roundtable discussions on a broad range of interests across sectors and regions of Canada. NRTEE staff and Members are regularly asked to meet with or present to various government ofcials, industry groups, and other stakeholders. The NRTEE exercises its convening power through consultation sessions, scoping exercises, outreach on published materials, and a number of other events that include a speaking or facilitating role. The NRTEE was more engaged in such external activities than ever before in 2009-2010, either by hosting or participating in over 60 stakeholder sessions and speaking engagements in Canada and abroad. Most of these events were organized as part of the NRTEEs main research programs. On a few occasions, the NRTEE convened stakeholders to roundtable discussions on other related topics. For example, we convened, in October 2009, a group of government, industry and non-government stakeholders to a roundtable discussion with the Head of the U.K. Carbon Trust. In April 2009, the NRTEE hosted a meeting of industry, NGO and academic stakeholders to learn about Australias experiences in designing and implementing a cap-and-trade system. Blair Comley, Deputy Secretary of Australias Climate Change and Energy Efciency Department, provided a presentation and responded to questions. The NRTEE also brought together stakeholders to a discussion on the Canada-Iraq Marshlands Initiative (CIMI), a project funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). CIMI is an initiative of the University of Victoria, the Fraser River Basin Council and the University of Waterloo, whose members have been working with Iraqis on the restoration of the Marshlands since 2005.

CORPORATE MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES Greening the NRTEE

The NRTEE is committed to operating in an environmentally responsible way by reducing its carbon footprint and greening its operations. In January 2010, the NRTEE adopted a new Environmental Code of Practice and formalized a comprehensive set of policies and practices to guide its greening activities. A new tagline, Think Green; Act Green, created and selected by NRTEE employees, captured the spirit of the initiative.

A new tagline, Think Green; Act Green, created and selected by NRTEE employees, captured the spirit of the initiative.

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The NRTEE Secretariat has committed itself to conduct an annual inventory of GHG emissions from NRTEE operations and to calculate its carbon footprint according to recognized standards and methods. The information generated by the annual GHG inventory highlights opportunities for the NRTEE to reduce or avoid energy use in its operations. From Jan. 1st to Dec. 31st 2009, the NRTEEs carbon footprint totalled 176 metric tonnes CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalents), most of which was generated by business travel. For details on the NRTEE Greening Initiative, please visit: http://www.nrteetrnee.ca/eng/about-us/greening-the-nrtee/greening-the-nrtee-eng.php

COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

The 2009-2010 year saw the Communications Unit of the NRTEE support the production of a number of signicant reports and the development of new and updated tools to stay in touch with Canadians, stakeholders and the media. During this time, website visits more than doubled to 443,050. The NRTEEs outreach continues to be marked by an evolution to electronic publishing, with two reports, Progress Through Process and the third volume of the Achieving 2050 series being released exclusively in electronic form. We have also reduced the number of printed copies we produce, in most cases from thousands to hundreds. In a continued effort to capitalize on the efciency of new technology, we have increased dissemination of reports through e-mails and, occasionally, through the use of ash-drive technology. This approach saves the NRTEE nancial resources, reduces the Round Tables environmental footprint, and expands outreach. The efforts to highlight electronic publications coincided with a substantial number of downloads of our products from the Round Table website. For example, Achieving 2050: A Carbon Pricing Policy for Canada, was downloaded 26,879 times by the end of the scal year, its companion Technical Report was downloaded 18,007 times, while the downloads of True North: Adapting Infrastructure to Climate Change in Northern Canada numbered 22,821. Aside from our traditional communications with stakeholder organizations, the NRTEE has made efforts to increase collaboration with related agencies, government departments, non-governmental organizations and other groups interested in sustainable development. Our main communications tool, the NRTEE website, continued to evolve over the year both technologically and with respect to content. Visitors to the site can now take advantage of a larger menu of interactive offerings which allow our reports to be more-easily navigated and digested. The website also includes highlights of the NRTEE at work, with photographs and summaries of various meetings where our policy analysts gather information

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for our reports. The innovations have led to signicant increased website trafc. REPORT DOWNLOAD STATISTICS

REPORTS Achieving 2050: A Carbon Pricing Policy for Canada - Advisory Report Achieving 2050: A Carbon Pricing Policy for Canada - Technical Report Achieving 2050: A Carbon Pricing Policy for Canada - Outreach Report True North: Adapting Infrastructure to Climate Change in Northern Canada Progress Through Process: Achieving Sustainable Development Together NRTEE Response to its obligation under the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act Measuring Up: Benchmarking Canadas Competitiveness in a Low-Carbon World Changing Currents: Water Sustainability and the Future of Canadas Natural Resource Sectors * FY (Fiscal Year) Finally, the NRTEE also achieved a noteworthy presence in the media during the year. Round Table members made a number of appearances in traditional print and broadcast forums. True North and the rst volume of our Climate Prosperity series both received signicant attention, and our work has begun to appear on the blogs and electronic communications of various stakeholder groups, journalists and others who utilize the social media. The NRTEE also produced thought pieces and explained its research in publications such as The Hill Times and Policy Options magazine.

Downloads to July 13, 2010 28,689 19,926 2,166 27,878 1,050 3,574 7,766 19,665

Downloads for FY* 2009-2010 26,879 18,007 1,507 22,821 561 2,577 Not released in FY 2009-2010 Not released in FY 2009-2010

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A LOOK AHEAD
WATER SUSTAINABILITY AND CANADAS NATURAL RESOURCE SECTORS
The Water Sustainability and Canadas Natural Resource Sectors Program has an ambitious set of goals for Phase II, which runs from April 2010 to March 2011. During this period, the NRTEE will conduct research into water governance and management, specically looking at water allocation, policy instruments, data and information management and collaborative governance. The research will be complemented by a number of meetings with stakeholders and experts. This will lead to a second report, to be released in spring/summer 2011, which will provide options, solutions and recommendations for improving water governance in the country.

CLIMATE PROSPERITY THE ECONOMIC RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF CLIMATE CHANGE FOR CANADA
Climate change and Canadas response to it have profound economic implications for our nations future. Ensuring Canada is well-prepared to adapt and prosper in an increasingly carbon constrained global economy is the focus of this comprehensive policy research initiative by the NRTEE, which began in 2009-2010 and which will continue to be a priority of the NRTEE over the next two years. The timeline below illustrates the NRTEE publishing plan in the coming years. CLIMATE PROSPERITY TIMELINE

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In 2010-2011, our analysis of Canada-U.S. climate policy risks and opportunities will be nalized. We are also planning to complete work on both the Physical Impacts of Climate Change in Canada and the Net National Costs of Climate Change. We expect to release those three reports over the course of the year. The NRTEE will also collaborate with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society towards its October 2010 issue of the Canadian Geographic magazine and its French-language companion Gographica - fully dedicated to the NRTEEs Climate Prosperity program. Finally, building on the rst few reports of Climate Prosperity, the NRTEE will initiate, in 2010-2011, the work towards the development of a range of policy pathways and actions to help Canada take advantage of its potential to adapt to a changing climate, as well as those necessary for Canada to thrive in a global low-carbon economy. This work will lead to the release of two policy reports in 2011-2012.

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/ MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended March 31, 2010
Responsibility for the integrity and objectivity of the accompanying nancial statements for the year ended March 31, 2010 and all information contained in this report rests with the NRTEE management. These nancial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with accounting policies issued by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat which are consistent with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for the public sector, and year-end instructions issued by the Ofce of the Comptroller. Management is responsible for the integrity and objectivity of the information in these nancial statements. Some of the information in the nancial statements is based on managements best estimates and judgment and gives due consideration to materiality. To fulll its accounting and reporting responsibilities, management maintains a set of accounts that provides a centralized record of the NRTEEs nancial transactions. Financial information submitted to the Public Accounts of Canada and included in the NRTEEs Departmental Performance Report is consistent with these nancial statements. Management maintains a system of nancial management and internal control designed to provide reasonable assurance that nancial information is reliable, that assets are safeguarded and that transactions are in accordance with the Financial Administration Act, are executed in accordance with prescribed regulations, within Parliamentary authorities, and are properly recorded to maintain accountability of Government funds. Management also seeks to ensure the objectivity and integrity of data in its nancial statements by careful selection, training and development of qualied staff, by organizational arrangements that provide appropriate divisions of responsibility, and by communication programs aimed at ensuring that regulations, policies, standards and managerial authorities are understood throughout the NRTEE. The nancial statements of the NRTEE have been audited by the Auditor General of Canada, the independent auditor for the Government of Canada.

David McLaughlin President and Chief Executive Ofcer

M McLachlan Jim McLachlan Director, Corporate Services and Chief Financial Ofcer

Ottawa, Canada June 30, 2010

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4.0
/ AUDITORS REPORT

NATIONAL ROUND TABLE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY

AUDITORS REPORT

027

5.0
/ STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

NATIONAL ROUND TABLE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION as at March 31

2010 ($) 2009 ( $)

ASSETS Financial Assets Due from Consolidated Revenue Fund Receivables (Note 4) 472,674 17,611 490,285 431,901 58,447 490,348

Non-Financial Assets Prepaid expenses Tangible capital assets (Note 5) 7,222 219,748 226,970 16,415 201,967 218,382

TOTAL ASSETS

717,255

708,730

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY OF CANADA Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 6) Employee future benets (Note 7) 613,070 516,474 1,129,544 589,662 532,206 1,121,868

EQUITY OF CANADA (412,289) (413,138)

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY OF CANADA

Contractual obligations (Note 8) The accompanying notes form an integral part of these nancial statements.

717,255

708,730

Approved by:

David McLaughlin President and Chief Executive Ofcer

Jim McLachlan McLachlan Director, Corporate Services and Chief Financial Ofcer

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6.0
/ STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

NATIONAL ROUND TABLE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS for the year ended March 31

2010 ($) 2009 ( $)

EXPENSES Operating Salaries and employee benets Professional and special services Rentals Travel Publications Communication Furniture and equipment Repairs and maintenance Amortization of tangible capital assets Utilities, materials and supplies 2,998,721 1,095,718 402,312 145,661 115,756 88,179 88,145 83,786 71,993 37,202 5,127,473 Executive Committee Travel and living expenses Honoraria 970 4,529 5,499 Other Committees Travel and living expenses Honoraria 81,115 132,744 213,859 100,751 133,868 234,619 629 4,866 5,495 3,000,872 1,372,643 435,605 165,169 157,956 96,718 81,021 47,255 66,631 35,771 5,459,641

TOTAL EXPENSES
REVENUES Donations (Note 10) Miscellaneous TOTAL REVENUES

5,346,831

5,699,755

34,690 34,690

105,000 885 105,885

NET COSTS OF OPERATIONS

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these nancial statements.

5,312,141

5,593,870

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7.0
/ STATEMENT OF EQUITY OF CANADA

NATIONAL ROUND TABLE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY

STATEMENT OF EQUITY OF CANADA for the year ended March 31

2010 ($) 2009 ( $)

Equity of Canada, beginning of year Net Cost of Operations Services provided without charge (Note 3) Net change in due from Consolidated Revenue Fund Net Cash Provided by Government (Note 9) EQUITY OF CANADA, END OF YEAR

(413,138) (5,312,141) 433,976 40,773 4,838,240 (412,289)

(313,404) (5,593,870) 433,976 (101,471) 5,161,630 (413,138)

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these nancial statements.

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8.0
/ STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW

NATIONAL ROUND TABLE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW for the year ended March 31

2010 ($) 2009 ( $)

OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net Cost of Operations Non-cash items included in cost of operations: Less: Amortization of tangible capital assets Services provided without charge Statement of Financial Position adjustments: Decrease in receivables Decrease in prepaid expenses Decrease (increase) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities Decrease (increase) in employee future benets Cash used by operating activities (40,836) (9,193) (23,408) 15,732 4,748,467 (36,439) (16,199) 115,483 (104,475) 5,051,632 (71,993) (433,976) (66,631) (433,976) 5,312,141 5,593,870

CAPITAL INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES Acquisition of tangible capital assets Cash used by capital investment activities 89,774 89,774 109,998 109,998

NET CASH PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these nancial statements.

4,838,240

5,161,630

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/ NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NATIONAL ROUND TABLE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended March 31, 2010
1. AUTHORITY AND OBJECTIVES
The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) was established in 1994 under the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Act and is a departmental corporation named in Schedule II of the Financial Administration Act. The NRTEE fulls its objective of promoting sustainable development, and the integration of the environment and economy in decision making in all sectors, by conducting studies, organizing stakeholder dialogues on specic issues and economic sectors, providing advice, carrying out educational and communication activities, and by acting as a catalyst for change. Its operating expenses are funded mainly by a budgetary lapsing authority and, to a lesser extent, from cost recovery and cost sharing for specic activities. The NRTEE is not subject to the provisions of the Income Tax Act.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

These nancial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Treasury Board Secretariat accounting policies which are consistent with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for the public sector, and yearend instructions issued by the Ofce of the Comptroller General. Signicant accounting policies are as follow:

a)

Parliamentary Appropriations
The NRTEE is nanced mainly by the Government of Canada through Parliamentary appropriations. Appropriations provided to the NRTEE do not parallel nancial reporting according to Canadian generally accepted accounting policies for the public sector, as they are based in a large part on cash ow requirements. Consequently, items recognized in the Statement of Operations and the Statement of Financial Position are not necessarily the same as those provided through appropriations from Parliament. Note 9 provides a high-level reconciliation between the two basis of reporting.

b)

Due from Consolidated Revenue Fund

The NRTEE operates within the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF). The CRF is administered by the Receiver General for Canada. All cash received by the NRTEE is deposited to the CRF and all cash disbursements made by the NRTEE are paid from the CRF. Due from the CRF represents the amount of cash that the NRTEE is entitled to draw from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, without further Parliamentary appropriations, in order to discharge its liabilities.

c)

Revenues
Revenues are accounted for in the period in which the underlying transaction or event occurred that give rise to the revenues. Revenues that have been received but not yet earned are presented as deferred revenues. Funds received from external parties for specied purposes are recorded upon receipt as deferred revenues. These revenues are recognized in the period in which the related expenses are incurred.

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NATIONAL ROUND TABLE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY

d)

Expenses
Expenses are recorded on the accrual basis: Employees severance benets are accrued as earned and are calculated using information derived from the results of the actuarially determined liability for employee severance benets for the Government as a whole. Employee severance benets on cessation of employment represent obligations of the NRTEE that are normally funded through future year appropriations. Vacation pay and compensatory leave are expensed as the benets accrue to employees under their respective terms of employment. Contributions to the Public Service Pension Plan are charged to expenses in the year incurred and represent the total NRTEE obligation to the Plan. Current legislation does not require the NRTEE to make contributions for any actuarial deciencies of the Public Service Pension Plan. Services provided without charge by other government departments are recorded as expenses at their estimated costs. A corresponding amount is credited directly to the Equity of Canada

e)

Receivables
Receivables are stated at amounts expected to be ultimately realized; a provision is made for receivables where recovery is considered uncertain.

f)

Contingent Liabilities
In the normal course of its operations, the NRTEE may become involved in various legal actions. Some of these potential liabilities may become actual liabilities when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. To the extent that future event is likely to occur or fail to occur, and a reasonable estimate of the loss can be made, an estimated liability is accrued and an expense recorded in the nancial statements.

g)

Tangible Capital Assets

Tangible capital assets with an acquisition cost of $2,000 or more are capitalized at cost and amortized over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis. The estimated useful life of each tangible capital asset class is as follows: ASSET CLASS Leasehold Improvements Informatics Equipment and Purchased Software Furniture and Equipment USEFUL LIFE lower of remaining term and 10 years 3 years 10 years

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NATIONAL ROUND TABLE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY

h)

Measurement Uncertainty
The preparation of these nancial statements in accordance with Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat accounting policies, which are consistent with Canadian generally accepted accounting policies for the public sector and year-end instructions issued by the Ofce of the Comptroller General, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in the nancial statements. At the time of preparation of these statements, management believes the estimates and assumptions to be reasonable. The most signicant items where estimates are used are the useful life of tangible capital assets and assumptions underlying the employee severance liabilities. Actual results could differ signicantly from those estimates. Managements estimates are reviewed periodically and, as adjustments becomes necessary, they are recorded in the nancial statements in the year they become known.

3. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The NRTEE is related in terms of common ownership to all Government of Canada entities. The NRTEE enters into transactions with these entities in the normal course of business and on normal trade terms, with the exception of services provided without charge. The NRTEE incurred expenses with related parties of $1,205,312 (2009 - $1,190,572). From this amount, $433,976 (2009 - $433,976) represent services provided without charge which includes $370,976 (2009 - $370,976) for the rental of space.

4. RECEIVABLES
2010 ($) 2009 ( $)

Other Government Departments External Parties Employee Advances Total Receivables

14,064 2,547 1,000 17,611

30,388 27,059 1,000 58,447

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NATIONAL ROUND TABLE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY

5. TANGIBLE CAPITAL ASSETS

Co st as at March 31, 2009 Co s t a s a t March 31, 2010

Acq uisit io ns

Dispo sit io ns

Leasehold Improvements Informatics Equipments and Purchased Software Furniture and Equipment

$153,424 $205,448 $172,491 $531,363

Current Year Amo rt izat io n

$44,919 $44,855

$198,343 $250,303 $172,491

$89,774
Accumulat ed Amo rt izat io n Net B o o k Value at March 31, 2010

$621,137
Net B o o k Va l ue a t March 31 , 2009

Leasehold Improvements Informatics Equipments and Purchased Software Furniture and Equipment

$23,945 $39,846 $8,202 $71,993

$76,198 $175,974 $149,217 $401,389

$122,145 $74,329 $23,274 $219,748

$101,173 $69,319 $31,475 $201,967

6. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES

2010 ($) 2009 ( $)

Trade Other Government Departments Total Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

559,329 53,741 613,070

572,996 16,666 589,662

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NATIONAL ROUND TABLE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY

7. EMPLOYEE FUTURE BENEFITS i) Severance Benet

The NRTEE calculates its estimate for the liability for employee severance benet by using information derived from the results of the actuarially determined liability for employee severance benets for the Government as a whole. The employee severance benet liability, including the current portion, is determined to be $516,474 (2009 - $532,206). The amount expensed to salary and benets in the period was $(15,731) (2009 - $210,759), including the amount paid of $0 (2009 - $106,284).

ii)

Pension Benets
The NRTEEs and employees contribution to the Public Service Pension Plan for the year were as follows:
2010 ($) 2009 ( $)

NRTEE s contributions Employees contributions

294,403 173,820

257,023 129,420

8. CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
The nature of the NRTEE activities can result in some large multi-year contracts and obligation whereby the NRTEE will be obligated to make future payments when the services are rendered. Signicant contractual obligations that can be reasonably established are summarized as follow:
2014 & t hereaf t er

2011

2012

2013

TOTA L

Operating lease

$18,233

$8,351

$964

$27,548

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NATIONAL ROUND TABLE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY

9. PARLIAMENTARY APPROPRIATIONS
The NRTEE receives the majority of its funding through Parliamentary appropriations, which are based primarily on cash ow requirements. Items recognized in the Statement of Operations and Statement of Financial Position in one year may be funded through Parliamentary appropriations in prior and future years. Accordingly, the NRTEE has different net results of operations for the year on a government funding basis than on an accrual basis of accounting. These differences are reconciled below.

a)

Reconciliation of net cost of operations to current year appropriations used:

2010 ($) 2009 ( $)

Net cost of operations Adjustments for items affecting net cost of operations but not affecting appropriations: Amortization of tangible capital assets Services provided without charge Other revenues

5,312,141

5,593,870

(71,993) (433,976) 34,690 (471,280)

(66,631) (433,976) 105,885 (394,722)

Changes in accounts affecting net cost of operations but not affecting appropriations: Decrease (increase) in employee future benets 15,732 15,732 (104,475) (104,475)

Adjustments for items not affecting net cost of operations but affecting appropriations: Acquisitions of tangible capital assets Decrease in prepaid expenses 89,774 (9,193) 80,581 109,998 (16,199) 93,799

Current year appropriations used

4,937,174

5,188,471

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NATIONAL ROUND TABLE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY

b)

Appropriations provided and used:

2010 ($) 2009 ( $)

Parliamentary appropriation voted: Vote 20 Program expenditures 5,043,075 5,167,183

Statutory appropriation: Contributions to employee benet plans 407,761 5,450,836 411,000 5,578,183

Less: Lapsed appropriations operations Total appropriations used

(513,662) 4,937,174

(389,712) 5,188,471

c)

Reconciliation of net cash provided by government to current year appropriations used:

2010 ($) 2009 ( $)

Net cash provided by government Adjustments for items affecting net cash provided by government but not affecting appropriations: Other revenues

4,838,240

5,161,630

34,690 34,690

105,885 105,885

Adjustments for items not affecting net cash provided by government but affecting appropriations: Variation in receivables Variation in accounts payable and accrued liabilities 40,836 23,408 64,244 36,439 (115,483) (79,044)

Current year appropriations used

4,937,174

5,188,471

10. DONATIONS
No donations were received in 2010 (2009 - $105,000).

11. COMPARATIVE FIGURES

Some of the previous years comparative gures have been reclassied to conform to current years presentation.

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